Pitso Mosimane approved to return as South Africa head coach

Pitso Mosimane has been approved to return as head coach of South Africa, with the country’s football association backing his appointment as the successor to Hugo Broos.

The decision was taken by the South African Football Association’s National Executive Committee during an extraordinary meeting at the association’s headquarters, according to Africa Soccer.

Mosimane received strong support from the committee as South Africa considered a change in leadership following Broos’ departure. Broos announced last month that he would leave his position after guiding Bafana Bafana to the last 32 at the 2026 World Cup.

However, South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan said the appointment had not yet been completed formally, with several outstanding matters still to be resolved before the move is confirmed publicly.

“لقد وافق المكتب التنفيذي الوطني، على تعيين موسيماني، لكن لا يزال يتعين علينا انهاء بعض التفاصيل العالقة. سنعلن رسميا عن الامر خلال الاسبوع المقبل”.

In English, Jordaan said: “The National Executive Committee has approved the appointment of Mosimane, but we still have some outstanding details to finalise. We will officially announce the matter next week.”

The approval comes after Bafana Bafana returned from the 2026 World Cup, where they reached the second round of the competition for the first time in the country’s history. The national side’s progress to the last 32 was the achievement that preceded Broos’ decision to step down.

Mosimane is now expected to take charge of South Africa for a second spell, although the South African Football Association has yet to make the appointment official. The association is expected to provide confirmation during the week ahead, once the remaining details have been settled.

The 61-year-old has built a wide-ranging coaching career in both South Africa and abroad. His most prominent previous appointments include South African club Mamelodi Sundowns and Egyptian giants Al Ahly, as well as Al-Ahli Saudi and United Arab Emirates club Al Wahda.

Mosimane’s return would see him reunited with the national team after a number of major club and international coaching experiences. He previously worked at the highest level in African club football with Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly, while his time with Al-Ahli Saudi and Al Wahda added experience outside the continent.

The football association’s decision represents a strong indication that Mosimane is the preferred candidate to lead Bafana Bafana after Broos’ departure. Nevertheless, the formal announcement remains dependent on the completion of the outstanding details highlighted by Jordaan.

South Africa’s run at the 2026 World Cup has provided the immediate backdrop to the change. Reaching the last 32 marked the first time the country had advanced to the second round of the tournament, and the association has now chosen to support Mosimane as it prepares for the next stage of the national team’s development.